So the first day in Budapest we stayed around at the campsite so Mom could get the laundry done and to have a day to rest. It was so hot we didn't feel like doing anything anyway. Our new found friends from GB left around noon and in the evening we went to the restaurant for another great meal. The weather rapport had promised a cooler Friday, but we didn't expect COLD, but that's a good day for sightseeing Mom said, so off we went, me in my carriage.

First stop was the Parliament building.

Budapest was united from three cities in 1873 and seven years later the resolved to establish a new, representative Parliament Building, expressing the sovereignty of the nation. The building was planned to face the river. An international competition was held, and Imre Steil emerged as the victor. Construction from the winning plan was started in 1885 and the building was inaugurated on the 1000th anniversary of the country in 1896. It was completed in 1904. (The architect of the building went blind before its completion.)

About 100 000 people were involved in construction, during which 40 million bricks half a million precious stones and 40 kilograms (88 lb) of gold were used. Since world war 2 the legislature became unicameral and today the government uses only a small portion of the building. During the communist era, (which ended Oct 23 1989) a red star perched on the top of the dome, but it was removed in 1990.

this is the ethnographic museum, we skipped that, we'll study the people in the streets instead .............

There was a training course for acrobatic pilots over the Danube river. It was exciting to see but way too noisy for my taste.

We were so lucky to b in time for the changing of the guards, which looks like really serious business. To our surprise all of a sudden the guard stomped his foot and said in English, "Please proceed and take pictures with us" It took a while before people understood that we really could do that..........we left.

walking along we saw a lot of these signs, but Mom ignored them since most people think I'm a human baby and pay no attention to an old woman struggling with a carriage on the stairs..............Uhoh,there goes a treat...........I meant a YOUNG lady

Children always spot me and wants to talk, and that's ok with me.

not sure what or who this statue is, but maybe it represents all the poor people sleeping in the streets.......

This is the view across the Danube river from the parliament.

crossing the bridge was very frightening, not only did the planes buzz over our heads, you can feel the traffic and shaking your feet. Mom made the cross very quickly.

The Chain bridge is a suspension bridge that was closed due to the flight event Designed by the English engineer William Tierner Clark and built by the Scottish engineer Adam Clark, it was the first permanent bridge across the Danube in Hungary. It was opened in 1849.

. At the time of its construction, it was regarded as one of the modern world's engineering wonders.It has asserted an enormous significance in the country's economic, social and cultural life, much as the Brooklyn bridge has. Its decorations made of cast iron and its construction, radiating calm dignity and balance, have elevated the Chain Bridge to a high stature in Europe

It became a symbol of advancement, national awakening, and the linkage between East and West.

Budapest is an AMAZING city but from this sign it seems like not everybody agrees ?

We wanted to get to the castle, and we got a ride in this little electric train

Looking out on the city from up here was absolutely breathtaking

more guards with a serious expression

and some very colorful people

Matthias Church is a Roman Catholic church and according to church tradition, it was originally built in Romanesque style in 1015, although no archaeological remains exist. The current building was constructed in the florid late Gothic style in the second half of the 14th century and was extensively restored in the late 19th century. It was the second largest church of medieval Buda.

The Buda side castle wall was protected by the fishermen's guild and this is the reason why it was called fishermen's Bastion. Other people say, it got the name from the part of the city, which lies beneath the tower. The guild of fishermen was responsible for defending this stretch of the city walls in the middle ages. It is a viewing terrace, with many stairs and walking paths.

A bronze statue of Stephen 1 mounted on a horse, erected in 1906, can be seen between the Bastion and the Mattias Church

It was featured as a Pit Stop on the sixth season of Moms favorite show Amazing Race

This shoe store have a pretty intersting name we thought.

Saint Stephen's Basilica Budapest's largest church was built in Classical style between 1851 and 1905. Inside is the Hungarians' most revered relic - the mummified right hand of Hungary's first monarch, King Saint Stephen. Since its consecration, the church has played an important role in Budapest's musical community. Today classical concerts as well as contemporary music performances are played here.

this must be the fancier part of town with no cobblestone which I find great after rattling in my carriage

we stopped for a bite to eat and a gentleman approached us and gave Mom a 1-hour long lecture on Hungarian history

and that gave me a chance to catch up on my nap. Later we found a dogpark where I made a couple of friends. W

We have no language issues at all.............I sniff you, you sniff me. done

It's getting late and we spent the entire day walking ( well Mom walking me riding) so it's time to get back to Lucy. We hailed a taxi and both of us fell asleep within a few minutes.............big cities are exhausting but exciting too.

this is the eye of Budapest, which of course there's no way Mom would get into because she's terrified of heights.

but she was trying to figure out a way to get my carriage on one of these vehicles so we could rent one and buzz around town ...................afraid of heights huh? but not of this totally insane traffic where there seem to be no rules at all.

another eventful day is over .................don't know what is next on the agenda.